Atlantic Cape News

Amanda McCullough
:

Tickets on Sale for the March 28 Atlantic Cape Community College Restaurant Gala at Harrah’s Resort

January 29, 2018

Tickets are now on sale for South Jersey’s premier food and beverage fundraising event. The 35th annual Atlantic Cape Community College Restaurant Gala will take place on Wednesday, March 28, in the Avalon Ballroom of Harrah’s Waterfront Conference Center in Atlantic City.

The annual event celebrates food by highlighting hors d’oeuvres prepared by students in the Academy of Culinary Arts at Atlantic Cape and showcasing the specialties of 40 of the region’s best restaurants during a progressive dining experience

Kevin Ortzman, regional president for Caesars Entertainment (Bally’s, Caesars and Harrah’s Resort in Atlantic City) will be honored at the Restaurant Gala as the Community Honoree. The 2018 Culinary Honoree is Georgeann Leaming of Brigantine, executive chef of Gordon Ramsay Pub & Kitchen located in Caesars Atlantic City Hotel and Casino and 1999 Academy of Culinary Arts graduate. Leaming was the Season 19 champion on the Food Network’s Chopped! series.

This year’s theme is “Culinary Magic,” showcasing the extraordinary talent and cooking expertise of the students and alumni of the Academy of Culinary Arts.

The Ocean City Pops will provide entertainment during the cocktail reception, which will also include a few “magical surprises” to wow Gala attendees.

Each year, nearly 1,000 food enthusiasts attend the Gala. They will have the opportunity to dance the night away with live music from Central Park The Band and partake in candid shots in a photo booth. A dessert extravaganza, organized by Academy of Culinary Arts Chef Educator Daniel Matt, will complete the evening’s festivities with a variety of delectable desserts and confections, along with cordials to pair with. Tomfoolery Brewing Company of Hammonton and Little Water Distillery of Atlantic City returns to this year’s event to provide exciting libations.

This year, the Atlantic Cape Community College Restaurant Gala will recognize the 2017 passing of James L. Cooper, a visionary and driving force behind the Atlantic Cape Community College Foundation and a long-standing champion of the efforts and mission of the gala.

The event has raised $3 million for scholarships since 1984. All Gala proceeds benefit student scholarships at the Academy of Culinary Arts at Atlantic Cape Community College and Atlantic Cape Foundation operations.